Fans dont always start on boot

gerico · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:19

Hi guys,

Ive just installed a lamptron touch fan controller. Ive got 3 corsair sp fans and some noctua industrials running off it. Now ive noticed if i set the nocutas to around 65% speed sometimes, not every time, but sometimes, the fans dont start when i boot.

They sort of jerk like theyre trying to start but lack the power. I then have to switch them to 100% and then turn them back down. Am i doing something wrong or is there a problem here?

It seems odd that they are doing this, the corsair seem ok. Would love some help on this one, is it my fault?

Jokester · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:22

They must just have a high starting voltage, the controller should really give them 12V at first to get them going before reducing the voltage down. A lot of fans can run at 3V but you would never get them going at that voltage.

Kei · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:23

My noctua nf-f12 seems to need quite a high voltage to start. It's just something you have to live with. If you have a multi meter, you can measure the voltage at the fan and see what it takes to start it. Some manufacturers would tell you the start voltage, but i can't find any info on the noctua site.

gerico · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:24

Jokester said:
They must just have a high starting voltage, the controller should really give them 12V at first to get them going before reducing the voltage down. A lot of fans can run at 3V but you would never get them going at that voltage.

Yh its weird.. Im not sure how to sort this out. I thought it would just detect whats needed. I think at 65% speed its like 7-8v which i figured would be enough to start them

gerico · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:26

Kei said:
My noctua nf-f12 seems to need quite a high voltage to start. It's just something you have to live with. If you have a multi meter, you can measure the voltage at the fan and see what it takes to start it. Some manufacturers would tell you the start voltage, but i can't find any info on the noctua site.

Ah ok. Perhaps i just need to run them slightly higher or lower them manually when i need to quiet them down. Just wanted to know if other ppl experienced this. Glad im not alone.

Ive not yet placed the probe wires to the controller as i was in a hurry to test it last night and didnt have time to do everything, but if switched to auto with the probes in, will the controller most likely base fan speed off the temp?

Nevermind i just watched a video on controlling the speeds. Ill set a temp at which they need to kick in to higher rpm. Just need to try get them running from boot a little nicer